Hi,
Hmm, I find that any untapped skill has a fast skill gain period when you first start using it, no matter the age of your avatar.
Due to the SIB on the gear we usually have in such a situation?
When I started crafting I already had close to 4K in Longblades. Skill gains in crafting was most painfully slow (still are ...).
A friend that started it at the same time was in the period between "too good to become disciple" and graduation (would he had been a disciple). His skilling speed was by far superior to mine, even when we used the same BP's (literally) and crafted quite similar amounts.
The difference was shocking.
This is the first I've heard that all skills can be gained
even more quickly prior to a certain point of avatar development. Clearly this would be possible for MA to do, but without confirmation that it exists, I don't think I'd use it as a basis to advise others. (You may well be correct though. More info please
)
I have searched, but got no result.
As far as I can remember it came with the VU where the initial stats of freshly created avatars was reduced - prior to this we started with 20 points in any attribute (besides Health and Stamina), now they start with 1.
(Remark: Went to PA drop zone to scan a complete freshman. No one there. Waited 20 min while chatting, no one came. Have never before seen such.)
Anyway, as compensation it was announced that the new avatars nerfed this way would enjoy faster skill gains for their initial learning period.
As far as I remember (but not sure) this also introduced the even more slowed down skill gain speed for more experienced participants, aka the skill nerf.
Maybe one of the readers, with a more reliable memory, could help me out?
I'm very sure about the "Attributes reduced - initial skill gain speed improved". Must have been sometimes after April 2006, made a test ava for my partner then, and it has the 20's attributes still.
To me, focusing on one area will lead to unlocking skills sooner, and allow you to engage in your primary activity more efficiently. Then as you progress, you can branch out and try other things.
Fully agree, as long as it means the period after the initial phase that I'd see until graduation. After you have passed this limit your advice is worth pure PED.
Before this point - well, I cannot prove. Maybe someone will come to help, maybe not. I'm fully aware I might be completely wrong, but I'm still quite confident I'm remembering correctly.
So I'd recommend to use your
very early days to build a solid fundament in hunting, mining & crafting,
then concentrating on the chosen way. This way the new participant would quite fast be able to enjoy added "chances for the jackpot" for otherwise useless activities (running across the server to the next spawn - you could easily drop a bomb) or loots (it's always better to craft Animal Hides, Lyst or Oil instead of TTing, right?).
You are very correct that after this period one should decide what to do, and follow this goal with compassion.
So we aren't this much different, right?
I personally mix my activities about 75% hunting, 20% mining, 5% crafting, or so. My own goal is to be well rounded, but not really a "Jack-of-all-trades".
I might replace "Jack-of-all-trades" with "Xandra-of-all-trades", and sign happily ;-)
One of these days I gotta get myself organizized, and will loot a "Basic Beer Blueprint"! I'll make a public service announcement - with guitar, and maybe with the famous electric camel drum if I can get it, and I promise you'll be the first one to test it!
Have fun!